Comparison Between Mrs. X and Miss Y (Essay Sample)

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Comparison between Mrs. X and Miss Y
A dialogue is said to be a conversation between two individuals on matters of mutual interest. However, in conversations where a misunderstanding is bound to arise, silence may act as a powerful tool for depicting one character and perception of life. August Strindberg's play "The Stronger" where one character chooses to remain silent is one such a play that depicts this scenario. The pay depicts two actresses, Mrs. X, and Miss Y, who have a coincidental meeting in a ladies' hotel. From the conversation that ensues, it is noted that Mrs. X dominates the entire conversation by suppressing any room for Miss Y to intercept. However, from her gestures, the audience is able to fathom the strong nature of Miss Y. At the close of the conversation, though scornfully, Mrs. X realizes herself and the immense contribution that Miss Y has had on her lifestyle and family at large. This essay will analyze the statements Mrs. X makes about Miss Y so as to analyze her unconscious depiction of Miss Y's strengths.
From the dialogue that ensues between Mrs. X, a married woman and Miss Y, an unmarried woman, several lessons can be drawn about the lifestyles and challenges faced by these two actresses. It is observed that Miss Y remains silent through the dialog and hence the audience can only get a glimpse of her strength by observing her physical expressions. At the beginning of the act, it is observed that the two women meet in a prestigious ladies café an indication that they share the same social status (Strindberg and Mueller 42). Though Mrs. X is depicted as carrying a fashionable Japanese bag in addition to her expensive winter clothes, it is clear that the two women share the same social status. Though, Mrs. X's social identity comes more clearly, Mrs. X's identity is disguised. Thus, it may be stated that Miss Y is stronger here, owing to the fact that she is able to disguise her social standing, in contrast to Mrs. X's social status that is only superficial. This is confirmed by the fact that Miss Y is seen taking an expensive beer in addition to changing from one newspaper to another. Notably, when Mrs. X scorns her of sitting alone like many bachelors do, it is noted that Miss Y just nods and resumes reading. This is a strong indication that she knew more about Mrs. X's life hence the reason she is not aggrieved. As it turns out as the play progresses, she had an affair with Mrs. X's husband.
The other notable incidence that depicts Miss Y's strength is when Mrs. X uses an allegory of the bridal party at Paris she once attended to Miss Y's lonely situation; it is noted that Miss Y intercepts by just stating that her condition and the situation noted at the bridal party are altogether different things. As such, it is clear that she is not easily moved by Mrs. X's scornful words. This is another indication of her strength over Mrs. X. Additionally, when Mrs. X reminds Miss Y of the circumstances that led to her presently unmarried status, the audience learns that she refused to forgive her fiancée that led to the separation. Surprisingly, instead of sorrowing over the situation, she scornfully looks at Mrs. X. This may be an indication that she has already avenged or is in the process of avenging to heal her wounds. As such, whereas Mrs. X views her as desperate, the audience perceives that she has her plan of curbing the unfortunate events in her life (Strindberg 72). The other instance that hints that Miss Y has taken control of Mrs. X is her ironical and curious gesture when Mrs. X shows her embroidered slippers that she had for her husband's Christmas present. This is ironical because we expect the husband to be the one buying Christmas presents for her family. Hence, as it turns out, Mrs. X's perception that she has gained control over her husband and hence family is wrong.
It is noted that Miss Y is impressed by the statement of Mrs. X that her husband wants tulips on everything. As it turns out in the conversation, Miss Y was fond of tulips that suggest the possible influence that she had on Bob. Additionally, it is evident that Mrs. X is convinced that Miss Y holds her responsible for her awful exit from Stora Theater. However, as it turns out, Miss Y is not adversely affected by this notion. This is another prove her strength despite the awful events that she has encountered in life. When, Mrs. X demonstrates how her husband's behavior is when on slippers, it is noted that Miss Y laughs hysterically when Mrs. X states that she has never seen her husband on slippers. This is might be an indication that she has indeed seen him on slippers without the knowledge of her wife. As such, it might be a suggestion of a love affair going on between Miss Y and Mrs. X's husbands. The impression that Miss Y might be having a secret love affair with Mrs. X's husband is emphasized when Mrs. X brings out the issue of Frêdêrique and several other women who were running her husband. After the break of this news, it is noted that they both stare at each other in a perplexed manner. Here, there is a strong impression that Miss Y might be worried by the fact that Bob, Mrs. X's husband, might be playing on her too (Ciaravolo 1012). In her closing words, the audience is able to have a glimpse of the immense influences that Miss Y had over Mrs. X's life. As Mrs. X notes, Miss Y likes tulips hence the reason her husband id fond of them. Additionally, the family spends their summer holidays in the fresh lake Mälarn possibly because Miss Y hates salty water. Further, Mrs. X's son, Esker, is named after Miss Y's father. It is also noted that Mrs. X eats Miss Y's favorite dishes, and she wears Miss Y's favorite colors. This makes the audience comprehend the influence of Miss Y on Bob's family and possibly the reason he complained about the poor homemaking in his family.
When Mrs. X groans over her husband's complaint about poor family making, it is noted that Miss Y laughs hysterically. This is a clear indication that her interaction with Bob has made her internalize his likes and hates. The fact that Mrs. X has not realized these facts about her husband confirms the strength of Miss Y by being able to win over her husband. Additionally, as Mrs. X notes, Miss Y has stealthily sneaked into her life and influenced it in an immense way. Gradually, Mrs. X has been modified to adapt to Miss Y's lifestyle. This reveals to the audience the immense impact that Miss Y has had on Mrs. X's lifestyle and family. Notably, Mrs. X admits of the immense influence that Miss Y had on her family as noted by her statement that all that influence she had on her husband is not a thing to her (Read Book Online.Net). She also comforts herself by realizing the fact that she learnt to drink chocolate from her. She also applauds the fact that her mode of dressing that was borrowed from Miss Y has only made her more attractive to her husband and hence advantageous to her. The stren...